"We give them these chances in the games like today when we can do that.

"They show us in every match positive things. Today Saka also played with a good performance, with a very big personality and we were speaking at half-time.

"His personality is very important for us to continue trying to go 1v1 and break lines with his quality. He played with a very big personality and sometimes with a very good performance.

"It’s very important for his confidence and for us also, because we can look at this player and see the quality to help us."

The Spanish boss made a number of changes to the line-up ahead of a Premier League clash against Southampton on Sunday, with Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Lacazette and Mesut Ozil granted starting berths.

The latter duo are expected to retain their place in the team this weekend, while the former will miss out due to suspension, as Emery went on to explain.

"We need to do the mix in the first XI between young players and players with experience," he added. "You can improve and can play better if you have the players to help you on the pitch.

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“Sokratis can’t play Sunday, [so] he can play today. Lacazette I think needs the rhythm of playing and it is not bad for him to play today. We decided for this reason."

The Gunners are currently chasing a top-four finish in the Premier League and sit fifth in the table, level on points with Chelsea who are above them on goal difference.